Speech #910310409

In addition. the whole UNRWA operation looks like a bottomless pit in the sense that we are supporting a large number of people who are not being incorporated into existing nation states. The committee report points out. on page 13. the numbers involved. which I would like Senators to note. It points out the number of refugees registered with UNRWA now numbers 1.409.659. of whom 819.388 are receiving rations from UNRWA. This complex of circumstances indicates that the whole operation is going nowhere and is simply a holding operation. When this is coupled with the abuse and actions so contrary to the policies of our Government emanating from the camps which are supported by an international agency to which the United States contributes 55 percent of total support. there are grounds for serious worry and concern. That is why we wrote into the authorization actand I now refer to section 301(c) of that act. as amended. Public Law 91175. which is the enabling statute to the appropriation which reads as follows: No contribution by the United States shall be made to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency or Palestine refugees in the Near East except on condition that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency shall take all possible measures to assure that no part of the United States contribution shall be used to furnish assistance to any refugee receiving military training as a member of the socalled Palestinian Liberation Army or any other type of guerrilla organization or engaged in any act of terrorism. Mr. President. before I ask the Senator a question. I would like to say that for years. notwithstanding my deep feelings about United StatesIsrael relations. I have supported the U.S. participation In UNRWA in such a major way to alleviate the plight of the Palestinian refugees. I still feel that this continues to be a critical element of stability in that area of the world. I deplore the fact that we have now seen cases of very grave -abuse that are so inimical to the interests of the United States and peace in the area. I have described those. There is a dismaying lack of progress in moving toward some real settlement with respect to the refugees rhich will terminate the need for an UNRWAtype of operation. There is no question about the fact that a solution to the refugee problem must be incorporated into a peace settlement inthe area or we will never be free of the terrible exacerbations caused by this problem. Under all these circumstances. and bearing in mind that the mandate of this agency given by the United Nations expires in 1972. we are getting toward the point of deciding whether we want the United States to continue along the old UNRWA path. I would like to ask the Senator. who has been very understanding In this situation. two questions: First. did the committee receive any information to make it feel that the proviso which we wrote into the enabling legislation is being taken seriously. so that we are able to find out that the U.S. contribution is not being used to furnish assistance to any refugee receiving military training as a member of the socalled Palestinian Liberation Army or any other type of guerrilla organization or any refugee similarly engaged in any act of terrorism. That is pretty hard to believe. considering the recent -civil war in Jordan. Second.